Song of The Clouds (11/4) gains Group 3 success

There was some excellent racing on Friday with Group 1 action at Newmarket and a competitive card at York. Godolphin spent in excess of £27m on yearling at the Book 1 Tattersalls Sale during the week and their exciting juvenile Musical Times remained unbeaten following her hard fought win in the Fillies' Mile. Later on the card, Song of The Clouds won the Group 3 Pride Stakes with William Haggas' charge edging out her stablemate Silver Lake in the ten furlongs event. Featured in the Unraced Three Year Olds section in Ahead On The Flat, the daughter of Night of Thunder suffered a fracture following her victory at Redcar in May and therefore missed the whole of the summer. Back in action last month, she defied her penalty at Windsor and made a smoothless transition into Pattern company on the Rowley Mile. Set to remain in training next year, William Haggas is already eyeing the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes over nine furlongs in May 2027. She is a most progressive filly with Group 1 aspirations in the future.

Stablemate Sharadd made it two wins from as many starts in the six furlongs novice stakes at York with another convincing display. Tom Marquand felt the Dark Angel colt didn't relish the testing conditions but still proved too good for his four opponents defeating the 90 rated Our Son Oscar by a length and a half with nine lengths back to the third. His jockey suggested that six furlongs may prove his optimum trip with races such as the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock and Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot likely to be on his agenda.  

It was impossible not to be impressed by Harper Violet's victory in the staying handicap on the Knavesmire. A beautifully bred daughter of Lope De Vega, she is a half-sister to Group 1 winning sprinter Inisherin and had scored handsomely in novice company at Carlisle last month. Karl Burke's runner was tackling a mile and six for the first time off an opening mark of 87 and made a mockery of such a rating. Always travelling strongly under Clifford Lee, she moved up still on the bridle two out before pulling away to win hard held by thre and a quarter lengths. Black type beckons for this fast improving three year old.